The Root 100 celebrates the best compendium of young and emerging leaders (ages 25-45) who are outstanding in their fields. The list will feature a mix of people who are recognizable names and those who deserve more recognition. As one example of our prescience, on the 2010 list we chose Esperanza Spalding months before she burst into celebrity by winning a Grammy.

The aim is to select the 100 men and women ages 25-45 who are the most influential African Americans in 2011. The 100 will be chosen across a broad spectrum of categories: politicians and scientists, musicians and clergy members, environmentalists and civil servants, entrepreneurs and artists.